Anabaptist Perspectives Yes, the Early Church Taught Penal Substitutionary Atonement - Dean Taylor
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Jul 24, 2025 Dean Taylor, a pastor and president of the Zalikon Institute, dives into the contentious issue of penal substitutionary atonement in early Christianity. He argues that this concept was present alongside Christus Victor in the writings of early church fathers like Origen and Eusebius. Challenging common assumptions, Dean contends that Anabaptists may misunderstand theological nuances. He highlights a historical-theological case for integrating these themes and urges a broader engagement with patristic teachings to enrich contemporary understanding of atonement.
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Christus Victor Includes Penal Elements
- Dean Taylor argues Christus Victor and penal substitution are inseparable in early Christianity rather than mutually exclusive.
- He warns that losing the penal aspect diminishes worship, gratitude, and the sense of salvation's seriousness.
Aulén Oversimplified Patristic Witness
- Gustav Aulén's 20th-century Christus Victor revival overstated the early church's exclusivity of that motif.
- Newer access to patristic texts shows more patristic nuance than Aulén allowed.
Dean's Personal Journey Into Patristics
- Dean recounts his own shift from a Christus Victor lens to recognizing penal themes after decades of study.
- He credits David Brousseau as his mentor in historical theology and source-driven reading.
